Keefer Madness

Grammys Making Me Feel Old

// February 12th, 2012 // No Comments » // Music, Reviews

As Amanda and I are laying here watching the 64th Grammy Awards, my wife is feeling nostalgic with Jennifer Hudson’s performance of the now late Whitney Houston’s rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”

I’m just feeling old though. I didn’t recognize any of the best new artist nominees. I knew none of the rap songs (and only one of the artist combos in that category: Jay-Z and Kanye).

Out of all the performers tonight, I only cared about seeing the Foo Fighters and Kelly Clarkson — and Kelly Clarkson was only on to perform the duet with Jason Aldean, which she totally carries. I wish she had the opportunity to perform something from her Stronger album. I’m biased, but still.

I don’t get the Nicki Minaj thing. I think music should be about, well the music. Screw this performance art BS, and lip syncing crap. Both the Foos and Clarkson I can appreciate as true artists — whose albums and live performances rival each other.

I just feel old after tonight’s Grammy Awards. I’ll go back to my rotation of Foo Fighters, Kelly Clarkson and Van Halen now.

P.S. I did appreciate the end jam session with Sir Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl and others — that was real music and talent in my book.

Alternate OS's: Chrome OS

// May 12th, 2011 // No Comments » // Computers, Misc Reviews, Reviews, Software

Think about how much of what you do on your portable devices is Internet related. Then, in 2011 think about how much of your data isn’t even stored locally — email, photos, calendars, notes, the list goes on and on. Google’s Chrome OS embraces this cloud-based concept.

A few months back when installing Parallels (to run Windows 7) on my work iMac, I saw there was an option to install Chrome OS. While I had heard about the OS being run on Google branded mobile devices (not to be confused with Android OS), I hadn’t had a chance to play with it, but was intrigued by the concept.

(more…)

Quick Game Review: Mondo Solitaire — More Solitaire Than You'll Ever Need

// May 9th, 2011 // No Comments » // Apple, Game Reviews, Reviews, Software

Solitaire is probably the most popular application on all Windows machines — it helps that it’s on every version of the OS since Windows 3.x. On the Mac, it’s not the same. No solitaire is included, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t options out there.

Look no further than Mondo Solitaire by Ambrosia Software. A native Mac application, Mondo Solitaire has more iterations of solitaire than anyone will ever need — most I wasn’t even aware of their existence.

In terms of reviewing the ins and outs, there’s not a whole lot you can say. The graphics and sound are what you would expect from a digitized card game. They look and sound good, and aren’t annoying, nor do they get in the way of the digital card solitaire gameplay.

This is a short review — basically if you own a Macintosh and enjoy Solitaire, Mondo Solitaire by Ambrosia Software is a wonderful diversion. At $9.99 through the Mac App Store, the game is a lot of fun, and will give you more variety in your solitaire playing than you’ll ever need.

Griffin Slap Review: Retro Meets Techno

// April 12th, 2011 // No Comments » // Misc Reviews, Reviews

Remember back in the 80′s one of the many goofy gimmicks — the slap bracelet? It was the metal bracelet wrapped in a loud color or pattern. Fast forward to 2010 with Apple’s release of their 6th generation iPod Nano — a tiny little square of a music player that features a touch interface and a representation of an analog watch.

Soon after the 6th gen iPod Nano’s release, it was only natural that a bunch of third party accessories were released that allowed the Nano to highlight that analog watch screen — bands, cases, etc.
(more…)

AirCurve Play Acoustically and Affordable Amplifies iPhone 4

// February 1st, 2011 // No Comments » // Apple, iPhone, Misc Reviews, Reviews

I first heard about the Griffin AirCurve with an older model – one designed for an older version of the iPhone, but I never saw, nor heard it in person. It was a curious device, able to passively amplify the iPhone’s tiny little speaker to a higher volume without power – AC or battery.

The next time I heard about the AirCurve was more recently – when people who had upgraded to Apple’s iPhone 4 found their beloved AirCurve’s passive amplification didn’t work with the fourth iPhone model, as speaker location had moved, as had the contours of the new phone. People found ways though to modify both pieces to make them work. I still hadn’t heard, nor seen a Griffin AirCurve.

(more…)

Must-Haves on Blu-Ray

// November 9th, 2010 // No Comments » // Film, HDTV Bits, Movie Reviews, Reviews

I’m sure I’m not alone in over the years purchasing multiple copies of the same movies in multiple formats — VHS, LaserDisc, DVD and now Blu-Ray. Now obviously everything doesn’t merit going to the newest format, and especially not to the high definition blu-ray format. My general criteria for re-snagging on blu-ray means it has to be a big favorite of mine that’s dynamic, like an action flick, or scenic. There are plenty of big favorites of mine that don’t merit buying in high-def. “Clerks” is a long time favorite, but between it being in black and white and not shot with that high of quality to begin with, a blu-ray copy would be a waste.

Here’s my short list of movies I’ve already made the plunge to duplicate in the blu-ray format:
(more…)

iPhone 4 Case Review: Unique Finish, Colors Make Griffin Outfit Ice Nice

// October 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // iPhone, Misc Reviews, Reviews

When the iPhone 4 came out, cases that both fit it and were also attractive, were few and far between. Fast forward a few months later, and there are quite a few, though a lot are your basic glossy or matte black.

Enter the Griffin Technology iPhone Outfit Ice line of snap-on cases. The Outfit Ice comes in multiple colors, which includes a jet black, but also red, blue and pink. My review unit was the red, or “true red,” as Griffin labels it.

The company describes the Outfit Ice as, “a hard-shell polycarbonate case with soft micro-textured finish.” The finish is what stands out as a different to me. It’s a satin-like finish, that is really smooth, but not to the point that it’s slippery or clumsy in your hand. Sadly, this unique finish is also the only complaint I have with the case. The satin-like finish shows off fingerprints and the oils of your skin even worse than the glass of the iPhone itself. Unfortunately, I found it more difficult and time-consuming to keep it clean than the phone.

After a few weeks of use, the oils and fingerprints didn’t affect the case as much it did initially. Partially, the change was that its sheen was became slightly “worn in” as it spent time in my pocket, and against my ear. Overall, I like the case and appreciate its unique color and finish, without being overdone.

For full disclosure, Griffin Technology provided this case for review, and I will honestly continue to use it in rotation with two other cases I purchased.

Mario Kart Wii Review / Nintendo's Poor and Broken Online Implementation

// September 6th, 2009 // No Comments » // Game Reviews, Gaming, Reviews

Our Nintendo Wii had sat idle for quite awhile — after an initial daily usage/play of Wii Sports and Wii Fit. But, the Wii’s been resurrected in the past few weeks with the purchase of Mario Kart Wii. Graphically, the game looks pretty much like its Gamecube predecessor, but the Wiimote as a controller adds some fun. The game’s classic Mario Kart, so if you’re a fan of the series, MK Wii will be your cup of tea. If not, there’s nothing to see here. I’m a big fan so this one is a lot of fun. Offline, there’s a lot of hours to put into the game, trying to win all of the eight cups in 50cc, 100cc and 150cc. There are ton of unlockables for the game — a ton of characters and karts and bikes. To unlock some, you’ll need to put in a ton of hours. Now the online is a lot of fun, lag-free but pretty flawed.

(more…)

First Impressions of the Shimano RS-80 Wheelset

// June 27th, 2009 // 6 Comments » // Cycling, Cycling Products, Personal Crap, Reviews

So I’ve not been able to log three rides on my new wheelset — the Shimano RS-80 wheels, which were a warranty replacement and upgrade for my Shimano Ultegra wheels that came with my 2009 Specialized Tarmac Expert.

While a full review may come down the road, after some more rides and a few races on them, I wanted to give a first impression review of the Shimano RS-80 clincher wheelset.

(more…)

Scene It! for Xbox 360 Makes Me Long For More You Don't Know Jack Titles

// March 21st, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Game Reviews, Gaming, Reviews, Xbox 360 Review

So we just snagged a great deal on a used copy of Scene It! for the Xbox 360 at our local Game Stop – $19 (though I see now you can get it new for $30). That’s great for a game that retails for $60 with its four specialized buzzer controllers. Amanda and I just ran through 2 games of it to give it a whirl and its a lot faster paced and nicer looking that its grandfather DVD game counterparts of the same franchise. The 360 version allows for four people to buzz in on every question and it moves at a better pace. The clips are varied, and even include some HD content thrown in for good measure, along with a fair amount of old time films for the real film buffs, or at least those more cultured than us and the gang we hang out with.

Regardless, the game is a blast and good for a group of four (or more in teams I guess). We’ve only now played two games, but I also like the feature that it remembers the the questions you’ve already seen to both keep it fresh, and simultaneously keep it fair. I believe there are plans to offer add-on packs for the game to keep the questions new with extended play.

The other thing though, is the in-between narrations that blast and congratulates players reminded me of the old You Don’t Know Jack franchise and made me long for those titles to be resurrected for family play on the Xbox 360 console. It would be great to extend the use of the include wireless buzzer controllers to the YDKJ franchise. Doubtful, but would love to see the games come back.